Demarcus Ayers NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Steelers Rookie

POSITIVES

An exciting, productive playmaker as a receiver and return man, Demarcus Ayers plays faster than his track times. A former high school running back, Ayers has the vision to make defenders miss underneath and in space.

Ayers is short, not small, and has a muscular frame to bang with defenders over the middle and in press coverage. With a 35-inch vertical jump, Ayers can make more plays above the field than you'd expect from a shorter receiver. Ayers is a quick, shifty route-runner and uses his head, chest and hips to sell routes and create separation.

With 99 catches on the year, Ayers has the production teams want. He also dropped just two passes all season, according to our charting.

With the ball in his hands, Ayers has a second gear that lets him pull away from the defense. He's able to duck or bat away tacklers in space and gives maximum effort to pick up yards after the catch. His vision in the open field comes into play on screens and in the return game, where he is equally dangerous.

NEGATIVES

Ayers will get caught from behind if he makes his way to space and leaves you wanting more in terms of deep speed. The Houston offense found ways to get him the ball as often as possible, using jet sweeps and bubble screens often. He'll have a harder time finding those touches in the NFL. Ayers is a game-plan player, not someone who can separate on his own.

A lack of length and size makes Ayers' catch radius smaller than you'd like. He catches the ball if it's thrown to his body, but he has a hard time extending away from his frame to make low catches.

Ayers was more of an offensive weapon than wide receiver, and he needs to be coached up on route-running timing. Something as simple as counting his steps to be on time with the quarterback will be new to him.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 5'9 ⅜"

Weight: 182 lbs.

40 Time: 4.66s

3-Cone: 7.00s

Short Shuttle: 4.33s

PRO COMPARISON: Danny Amendola, New England Patriots
FINAL GRADE: 5.60/9.00 (Round 5—Backup Caliber)